I want to do some exploring on the Sierra Nevada between the 395 and the CA central valley. I will probably incorporate into a family trip so I won't have much time to do more than a couple roads. For those who have done the roads that cross the Sierras, which ones do you find the best for whatever reason - scenery - technicality - etc.?

I've done Yosemite through Tuolumne which is epic but would like to do more. I'm thinking range from So Cal up to Tahoe as range unless there's something to not miss a bit north of there.

Thanks for suggestions!

 

If your doing this in winter hwy 80 is probably the only hwy open across to central California. If you decide to go that way Virginia city is awesome to see. Old mining town north of Carson Nevada.

 

Good point - this will be in the summer!

 

Monitor pass is beautiful, and you can't lose riding any of the roads between Tahoe and Yosemite. 88, 89 and US 50 are great for seeing sights while enjoying the ride.

49 through the mountains from Grass Valley to Sierraville or even all the way to Chilcoot, is a great ride. I spend a lot of time in Grass Valley and Sierraville as we have family and property in both. It's a great mix of foothills and mountains, great views, and neat little mountain towns. It's normally pretty quiet on the roads, not a lot of traffic. From Sierraville you can go south on 89 to Truckee, and continue down to Tahoe from there. You can cover a lot of miles and sights in just a days ride through that area.

I have travelled through every corner of this state, and love to take random, spur of the moment road trips, so there's not many places I haven't been. When you get closer to the time of your trip post up in here and I'll be happy to let you know any of the interesting points along the way that I have found.

You might even see me out on the road up there, I work from home, but can work anywere that I can get WIFI, so I am planning on taking it on the road for a couple weeks this summer.

 

108, Sonora Pass, is a good road. Nice scenery, lots of curves, not that much traffic. We really enjoyed the ride over the mountains. And you end up near Yosemite....a bonus.

 

Yeah, Sonora is beautiful.

 

i know it's an old thread, but I will presume your starting point is the East side of the Hill. A good run could be to take 395 north to Highway 70 West. When you head west, you'll have a couple of options, take Highway 70 West through Quincy and down the feather River Canyon (Gorgeous) or take Highway 49 South through Sierraville and Downieville (also Gorgeous).

Either of the routes will let you take the other back as a return loop.

If you pick Hwy 70, then you can follow it on down to Marysville, CA and take Highway 20 back to Grass Valley and pick up Highway 49 north for the return trip, or continue on highway 70 west through Marysville and pick up highway 65 south just out of town. If you choose that option, take highway 65 to Lincoln, CA and take Highway 193 to Newcastle, CA where you can pick up Interstate 80 east to Auburn, CA. You can either stay on Interstate 80 for the fast return trip, or pick Highway 49 for the return trip back up through Grass Valley and parts farther north until you get back on the other side of the Hill and pick up Highway 70 again. head East back to Highway 395 from there.

If you picked Highway 49 at the 70/49 junction, it's just a reverse of the last set of directions with similar options, only in reverse.

The majority of the roads on those routes are in the mountains/foothills. The part around Marysville/Lincoln is a bit of boring flatlands, but worth it for the options they present.

I live in the Sacramento, CA area about 40 miles south of Marysville.


edit: Of course, you could choose to take Highway 49 south from Auburn, CA and tour the Gold Country and take any of the other routes back across the Sierra Nevada Mountains that have been mentioned above.

 

Some of our favs are;
108, hwy 4 or 88 all are nice summer rides and just as good in either direction. Plenty of beautiful scenery and historical stops

 

Thanks all. I asked this in the winter when riding up there would be too cold but these are all fair game for this summer. I may make it a family thing and rent up that way but I do want to make those crossings. I'm like the Harley riding version of John Muir.